Foulkes: Penalty wasn't payback

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS chairman George Foulkes today rejected suggestions the Jambos are already benefiting from querying the controversial penalty given to Rangers at Tynecastle.

John Robertson’s side had to rely on a disputed spot-kick at East End Park on Saturday to salvage a point against Dunfermline - Paul Hartley converted his 14th goal of the season after Scott Wilson was adjudged to have fouled Lee Miller.

The Fifers then thought they had snatched victory when Andy Tod netted late on but his effort was chalked off for offside.

There have been claims from some quarters, most notably by Rangers star Marvin Andrews, that the Gorgie outfit have put undue pressure on officials with their request to the SFA for an investigation into the handling of last week’s clash.

Foulkes, though, dismissed such talk today.

He said: "We stand by our decision to ask the SFA to look into the events surrounding what happened at the end of our game against Rangers.

"The purpose of our complaint wasn’t done to get more penalties, it was to try to ensure procedures are more transparent and manifestly fair. I spoke to a few people after the game against Dunfermline and they thought it was a penalty and that the goal Dunfermline scored was correctly ruled out."

The Tynecastle chairman insisted the club’s controversial stance should help open up a number of other issues.

"As an MP, I have to declare certain interests and I think it would be a good idea for there to be a registrar of interests for referees and their assistants," he said.

"If a referee, for example, was to register the fact that he was an enthusiastic supporter of a certain football club, then why would he have to take charge of a particular game involving that team? There are dozens of others who could do the job thus allowing him to officiate at another game.

"As far as our decision was concerned, doctors come under scrutiny from the GMC, lawyers from the Law Society and MPs. So why can’t questioned be asked of the decisions made by referees and their assistants - and the individuals be allowed to respond?"

Taken from the Scotsman